leadership

Some people have the ability to do several things at the same time, but, generally, we as humans get easily distracted. The word ‘focus’ implies concentrating on just one thing. Paul taught this saying, ‘but one thing I do...’ (Philippians 3:13).

Lion tamers often use a chair as a tool for taming lions and they point the four legs at the lion’s face. Because lions are used to focusing on one object at a time, seeing the four legs unnerves them and they become timid, because they don't know how to attack. It’s often the same in the ministry. When leaders try to do lots of things at once, they panic, stop and lose their strength to conquer.

When working with their team of 12, people need to focus on building a strong team. This is a golden rule.

If we look at Jesus’ example, for three and a half years Jesus focused on forming His disciples. He used every situation to teach, guide, and form them.

The main focus of Jesus ministry was not the multitudes, but his twelve.

As a leader, you must put things in order immediately. This means that the disciples God has given you to form should be a priority in your life. God has called you to reach your generations!

If you have not yet formed your group of 12, start with a cell group and believe that now is the time to form the greatest team. Focus on this!

I'm still on my honeymoon around Asia. I'm on a cruise with my husband, Julian. I'ts been an amazing experience! It's funny because the majority of guests on the cruise are quite old, we are some of the few younger ones…We recently visited two cities in Vietnam: Hoi Un and Ho Chi Minh. It's a very beautiful country, we had some fun experiences there. We also visited Phon Pen in Cambodia. The thing that was really shocking about these two countries was to see how these people were truly devoted to Buddha. The statistics say that Cambodia is 90% Buddhist 6% Hindu and 3% Christian. About every 3 blocks we would see a pagoda (a Buddha's temple) and although these are very poor countries and have been through so many wars instead of praying to the true God, they are blind from the truth and they pray to an idol. People live in really bad conditions in these two countries and yet they have built beautiful temples dedicated to Buddhism. One of them had the floor made completely from silver, and most tourists just go visit those temples and many times practice Buddhism just for fun. (of course we would not go in to any of the temples) God really put a burden in our hearts to pray for these countries. There's still so many people who have never heard of Jesus so let's get together in intercession for the redemption of these nations.

You can see another video blog from Hong Kong and Vietnam here:

Have you ever been in a situation where you are working hard, you’re praying, planning, and keeping a good attitude, you have faith and are doing all you know to do but have still not seen the breakthrough that you are looking for? It can be frustrating.

Faith is being sure of what you are hoping for and certain of what you do not yet see.  This is true, but it sure is good when you finally do see it and great when what you’ve been hoping for finally comes to pass!  What’s the key to this kind of breakthrough? Simple. The key is timing.

I was reminded of this recently watching the new movie, Invictus.  It is a powerful movie all about timing.  Directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, the film looks at a critical time in South Africa’s history.

The time had come for Mandela to be released after 27 years in prison.  The time had come for him to become President in 1994.  Although apartheid had just ended and the wounds of the past still ran deep, Mandela saw that it was time for reconciliation and the rebuilding of the nation.

The timing therefore of the 1995 Rugby World Cup and South Africa’s subsequent victory in the final was significant as it represented the coming together of the South African people and the birthing of a new optimism for a united South Africa.

There are many instances in history of the awareness and importance of timing.  Winston Churchill famously remarked as he became the British Prime Minister during The Second World War, “I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial.”

The Bible also has a lot to say about timing and breakthrough.  Galatians 4:4-5 says, “when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 6:9 encourages us to, “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

In the Old Testament, there was a time for Joseph to be promoted from the prison to the palace, for David to become king and Esther to make her stand.  In the New Testament, there was a time for the 12 to become leaders, for Paul to go from persecutor to preacher and for Timothy to take on the baton.  Timing was the key factor in all of these breakthroughs.

So here’s a challenge for us while we are waiting and working for a breakthrough: to have faith to know that God is in control. To have faith to trust Him and be confident in Him even when things aren’t going the way we expect. To have faith that challenges and circumstances may well be being used to shape and prepare us for the breakthrough to come.

There’s also an encouragement: that at the right time the Lord works all things together, “for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

So like Mandela, Churchill and the Biblical leaders of old, be ready for your time.  Be ready for your breakthrough.

View the trailer for Invictus here.

The Bible speaks of men who were not aware that they had God’s great potential within them. Yet, the Holy Spirit helped them to discover their God-given potential.

As a result, they became great leaders who blessed their nations. One of these men was Gideon. He had a very low esteem. At one point, Gideon thought that God had abandoned him because his enemy had stolen everything that he had harvested. He also felt this way because he had to constantly flee from his enemy.

The Angel of God appeared to Gideon to tell him, ‘…The Lord is with you, mighty warrior’ (Judges 6:12). In an instant, all the arguments that he had against God were removed.

This is what Gideon understood as a result of the angel’s declaration:

He knew that God was on his side. I believe this was the turning point in his life which allowed him to face any challenge. He knew he could rely on God.

He understood that he was the man in whom God trusted to deliver his people. It is an awesome responsibility to be trusted by God to deliver His people. when Gideon understood this he knew that he had to act.

God saw in Gideon, what he could not see in himself.

During Gideon’s encounter with the angel of the Lord a divine exchange took place. God wants you to experience a divine exchange as well.

The people who receive the revelation of the Cross and understand everything that Jesus accomplished there for us will enter into another dimension!